Legacy of The Spanish-American War Nurses

The dedicated Army nurses' exemplary performance of duty clearly demonstrated their ability to adapt to hardship. Their professionalism in dealing with the surprisingly high number of military casualties, convinced the Army Medical Department that a permanent corps of trained nurses was needed. 

Shortly after the war, the Surgeon General asked Dr. McGee to write the section of the Army Reorganization Act making nurses a permanent corps of the Medical Department of the Army. The resultant legislation established the Army Nurse Corps in 1901. Seven years later the Navy established its Nurse Corps. 

In the years following the end of the Spansih-American War, the nurses who served joined together to create The Spanish-American War Nurses organization. This organization became dedicated to celebrating "the admission of trained nurses to the United States Army and to foster patriotism, to promote a closer bond of friendship among those who nursed during the war, and to provide efficient means for prompt and united action when necessary." (Article II).